From left, Glasgow Lands Scottish Festival Coordinator Peter Langmore, volunteers Julie Pike, Laurie Flechsig, Liz Ducharme, Diane Peacy; Dr Elian Campbell and Cindy Williamson of River Valley Counseling Center, and John Leary and Erin Godfrey of Forum House.
Reminder Publishing photo by Amy Porter
WESTFIELD — Organizers and volunteers from the Glasgow Lands Scottish Festival gathered at the Westfield Athenaeum on Dec. 13 to award two local nonprofit organizations $21,500 each from the proceeds of the festival. The Glasgow Lands Scottish Festival takes place on the third Saturday in July in Look Park, and is the second largest Scottish festival in New England.
Peter Langmore, coordinator, said the Glasgow Lands Scottish Festival in Blandford started 30 years ago this year. He said two of the original organizers, including himself were present, and introduced Julie Pike, who begins the ceremony at every festival with a traditional Scottish ballad. He said the festival remained in Blandford for five years and took place at Stanley Park for five more years before moving to Look Park in Northampton.
Langmore said the first year, they paid two pipe bands to perform. In July 2024, there were 37 pipe bands that competed; making Glasgow Lands the largest competitive pipe band festival on the east coast.
The two nonprofit recipients of the festival are Forum House in Westfield, a program of Viability, Inc., which Langmore said started providing volunteers for the festival in 2002, and River Valley Counseling in Holyoke, which has provided volunteers to run the gate since 2013. He said the festival could not run without the help of the two organizations’ volunteers.
Langmore said to date, Glasgow Lands has contributed $153,000 to Forum House, and $107,000 to River Valley. The Scottish Festival has also given scholarships to students over the years. Altogether, he said the Glasgow Lands Scottish Festival has donated $385,000 over 30 years to area nonprofits. “Not too many nonprofits donate this much money,” Langmore said.
State Sen. John Velis (D-Westfield), who attended the presentation, agreed that “not many if any nonprofits” give away that much money. He said the two recipient organizations in particular are helping people who are dealing with mental health crises, among others. “I think that’s really important,” he said.
Velis said he had just returned from a trip overseas. “What issues or challenges we have going on in this nation — we are blessed,” he said, wishing everyone a happy holiday. He said everyone owes a debt of gratitude to an organization “willing to help people to a better life. More kindness is something we should strive for.”
State Rep. Kelly Pease (R-Westfield) also spoke, giving his best wishes and gratitude for being a part of the occasion.
Speaking on behalf of the Forum House was Sue Cauley, COO of Viability, who said 100% of the donation will go to Forum House in Westfield, where the staff decides what to do with the money.
Cauley introduced Forum House program director Erin Godfrey and member John Leary, who said they owe a debt of gratitude to Glasgow Lands.
“The money really does go to good things. One year, we bought 10 bicycles, another year, picnic tables,” Leary said. He said this year the Forum House will save some of the money for members.
Godfrey said they are filled with gratitude, and that the donation of $21,500 “will have a profound impact.” She said over the years, donations from the festival have provided appliances, technology and furnishings, and said this year’s donation will help members with bills and wellness scholarships for forum members. She said a portion of the funds will also go to further construction on a hospitality unit at the Forum House.
Leary also encouraged more people to get involved and volunteer, saying it’s a fun time and volunteers get free admission.
Assistant Director Dr. Elaine Campbell said River Valley Counseling serves 80 area schools including Westfield. She said the funding from Glasgow Lands is appreciated, and has been used to provide Go Bags duffel bags for clinicians, giving them all the tools they need for kids in therapy.
“I always tell our clinicians, if you can help one community member, especially young people, you’re helping the entire community,” Campbell said.
She said Glasgow Lands is also a great bonding experience for their staff. “We appreciate being a part of it.”
Langmore said Glasgow Lands is an all-volunteer organization, and volunteers outside of the Forum House and River Valley are needed to run the festival. He asked anyone who knows anybody who might be willing to help, to reach out through the website at glasgowlands.org.
